National Survey Sheds Light On Top Concerns Of Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers

(NAPSI)—A national survey of 524 non-professional Alzheimer’s
disease (AD) caregivers found that, over time, memory loss and confusion,
which are cognitive symptoms, in addition to personal safety are their
greatest concerns related to their loved one’s AD. In fact, 67 percent
of AD caregivers surveyed said changes in cognitive symptoms were among their
main concerns. The survey was recently conducted by Harris Interactive for
Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc in partnership with the Alzheimer’s
Foundation of America (AFA).

The majority of AD caregivers surveyed are proactive participants in the
dialogue and decision-making around their loved one’s disease, and 75
percent were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied”
with the communication they have with their loved one’s health care
professional. However, one fourth of caregivers were either “somewhat”
or “not at all satisfied,” highlighting there may be room for
improvement in this dialogue.

Alzheimer's disease affects not only the patient but also the caregivers and the entire family.

“Family caregivers are typically the first to notice when their
loved one’s symptoms are changing and whether AD may be progressing,”
said Eric J. Hall, president and CEO of AFA. “This is why it is
critical for them to proactively engage in discussions with their health care
professional to help address these changes.”

Family gatherings provide an opportunity to observe changes in a loved one
that may stand out after not seeing them for a while.

About AD

AD—a degenerative disease of the brain-is typically characterized by
three stages: mild, moderate and severe. AD gradually gets worse over time
and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Right now, as many
as 5.1 million Americans age 65 and older have AD, with 3.6 million of those
having moderate-to-severe disease. AD affects not only the individual with
the disease but also the caregivers and the entire family. As our population
ages—including the first wave of baby boomers turning 65 in 2011—the
disease may impact a greater percentage of Americans.

For additional information about AD and other resources, visit www.alzfdn.org.

Key Survey Findings

The survey also illustrated the following:

• 55 percent of AD caregivers surveyed said caring for their loved
one has taken a toll on their own health

• 60 percent of AD caregivers surveyed said they feel overwhelmed

• 84 percent of caregivers of loved ones with severe AD surveyed
said caregiving frequently stops them from participating in activities they
enjoy, which is more than caregivers of loved ones with mild (67 percent) and
moderate (68 percent) AD